U NETWORK

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) currently has 58 affiliated unions and two affiliated associations. The main aims of our affiliated trade unions are to protect our workers’ rights and advocate for their interests - both of which, are outcomes of utmost importance to the Labour Movement. Specifically, unions represent workers in collective bargaining as well as in other areas such as wrongful dismissals, retrenchment benefits and employment terms and practices. With the amendments to the Industrial Relations Act, which came into effect from 1 April 2015, trade unions can now represent executive workers on a collective basis.

Representation & Protection of Our Working People

Representation is one of the key ways that NTUC, through its affiliated unions and association, protects and enhances the rights and welfare of workers. Unions can represent rank and file workers in collective bargaining, appeals against wrongful dismissals and negotiations for retrenchment benefits, and resolutions on employment terms. These are achieved against the backdrop of collaborative mindset that seeks a win-win-win strategy with the Government and employers.

With the amendment to the Industrial Relations Act, unions have been able to widen and deepen their reach. Rank and file trade unions can now collectively represent executive employees, except for those with specific responsibilities. Additionally, rank and file trade unions can also represent executive employees on an individual basis in five areas of disputes, namely dismissal without just cause or excuse, retrenchment benefits, breach of employment contract, victimisation, and re-employment.

Skills Training and Upgrading

As advancing workers’ interests and enhancing their employability, NTUC’s network of unions and association plays a key role in encouraging workers to go for skills training, upgrading and upskilling. Workers can approach our related organisations, Social Enterprises and departments, such as e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), U Care Centre, U PME Centres, and NTUC LearningHub to find out how they can improve themselves and participate in various programmes and training workshops offered.

Funding schemes such the UniSIM-NTUC Sponsorship, SAA Global Education (NTUC) Scholarship and Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) are also available to assist workers financially as they seek to be lifelong learners.